The Inofficial Chamber of Commerce Website

Have you ever wondered what type of saleswoman you are? It
doesn’t matter if you run your own company or sell for someone
else - it is extremely important to know what your style is.
What does The Sales Diva mean here? Well - let me throw my high
heel on my desk here and I will explain.

Are You a “Shoe-In” With Your Customers?

The most important aspect of selling is to understand and relate
to your customer. And before you can do that - you have to know
yourself. Contrary to popular belief - you don’t have to twist
yourself into a pretzel to be a success in sales. You don’t have
to copy anyone else. You just have to be YOU - with all your
quirks and also understanding your strengths.

The sales quiz below will help you determine what type of “Sales
Shoe” you are wearing…and what areas of selling you need to
improve. Answer yes or no to the following questions. Compare
your point total to the scoring key at the bottom.

1. I enjoy the challenge of finding new clients.

2. I feel the most satisfaction with a client I have known a
long time.

3. I like most networking events.

4. When I am faced with a difficult client I am not afraid.

5. I love when there are lots of details to put together.

6. Money is a motivator for me.

7. I get excited when I am working with a new client.

8. I love change.

9. I love getting out to networking events and meeting new
people.

10. Following up with customers is easy for me.

11. Goal-setting is really important to me.

12. I get excited about unknown opportunities.

13. Self-motivation is one of my greatest skills.

14. I love people - that’s why I got into sales.

15. I rarely feel nervous when I ask for the sale.

16. I don’t tend to take rejection personally.

17. I love exceeding my goals.

18. People often tell me that I am a great listener.

19. It doesn’t matter what I sell as long as I believe in it.

20. I love learning and invest yearly in professional
development.

21. I think that the word “selling” is a fabulous word!

22. I am an expert at asking questions.

23. I enjoy solving problems.

24. Relationships are my middle name!

25. My customers see me as an expert.

26. I have a clear picture of who my target audience is.

27. I know what I need to do to market myself.

Scoring Key: What Shoe Are You?

22-27 Points: High Heel Pump You go girl! You are dedicated to
helping people and making money at the same time. Just make sure
to keep yourself on track - start a Success Team so you continue
to stay motivated.

16-20 Points: Stiletto Great score! You can run a block in your
high heels and not even get a run in your nylon. Just remember -
to maintain customer relationships - you have to slow down and
pay attention to some of the details.

11-15 Points: Mary Jane Classic You’re doing fine but there is
room for improvement. Your shy nature may be holding you back in
some areas. You don’t have to be behind the scenes - you get out
there and shine! Try taking a public speaking class - it will do
wonders for your confidence!

6-10 Points: Sneakers You’re busy but not much is happening. You
may be feeling a little frustrated at why success isn’t coming
faster. Dig deep here - what are you afraid of? It’s time to get
a mentor and also quit trying to do everything yourself.

0-5 Points: Flip-Flop Don’t despair! Many of your attitudes
about sales can be adjusted - if you’re willing. Use this quiz
as a starting point to pinpoint the changes you want to make.
Consider reading one professional development book a week and
also getting some sales advice for your business.

Copyright© 2005

Brazilian dominance in soccer takes a new complexion. There used
to be a time when the Brazilian men’s national soccer team were
of average size and build. They were small (shorter), fast and
skillful. Diminutive in stature but this did not apply to their
technical and tactical abilities.

The team might appear to line up in some formal positional
formation and set up. Once the game starts it is an all
positions for everybody on the team. They seem to play a 1
(goalkeeper) -10 (field) as all the players are in constant
motion and are able to play off of each other at any time. The
team members do however have certain defensive responsibilities
and are accountable for their respective areas.
They truely
understand “the game” and are ready to be spontaneous as well as
volatile.
The Brazilian team seems to make the opponents play
catch up and defensively throughout most of the contest.
A
goal scoring opportunity can come from any where and any one on
the field and at any time.
The only thing that you can
predict is that the goalkeeper will not leave the 18 yard box to
act as a forward and score some goals.

Ronaldinho has just acquired his second FIFA international
player of the year award in a row. Does he deserve it? Most
definitely.
He is a pleasure to observe as he sets up most of
his team mates to lead his current team FC Barcelona to the top
of the Spanish “La Liga”.

Now add the goalkeeper Dida who has been a major part of his
team’s successes, in the back and Adriano up front who has
seemed to be totally unstoppable goal scoring machine on the
forward line for the Italian “Serie A”, Roberto Carlos on the
left where he still has a command on the free kicks, and Ronaldo
the task master who often and still shows flashes of brilliance
in the mix and you have a fortress of power and abilities few
can match.

I think the ball got rolling with the the introduction of Junior
Biano as a defenseman in 1998. With the exception of France his
presence was a dominant deterant for other teams.
The latest
big man to join him is Lucio

Brazil found mass to be a compliment to all their other
strengths. It would appear that they have continued to build
from there. The average weight of their national team has
increased without diminishing their agility and manouverability.
Although not a necessity, muscle mass has been a factor in other
team sports. This might be true in modern Futbol as speed
has become an over-riding factor to the game in the last 15
years. Most of the elite players are also playing in the Italian
and Spanish premier leagues and on similar if not the same
teams. They are learning from each other by being rivals and
combats as well as compatriots.

Here are the possible candidates for the next world cup roster
for Brazil.

Goalkeepers:

DIDA, JLIO CSAR, Defenders:

CAFU, CICINHO, EDMLSON, GILBERTO Melo, JUAN, LCIO, ROBERTO
CARLOS da Silva, José Vtor ROQUE JNIOR,

Midfielders:

EMERSON Ferreira, GILBERTO Silva, JUNINHO Pernambucano, KAKA’,
RENATO, Z ROBERTO,

Forwards:

ADRIANO, Jlio BAPTISTA, Ricardo OLIVEIRA, ROBINHO, RONALDO,
RONALDINHO Gacho

A team can only be as good as it is a team and is coached as a
team.
A team can only be good if all the members play for
the team and with the team.
It does NOT matter how many
stars you have and how big the egos or the payroll is either.
Win as a team and lose as a team.

People of the present age are preoccupied with their respective endeavors They want to keep up with the fast pace of the contemporary life They often end up fatigued They take no time to relax They sacrifice even their precious sleeping time.

Have you ever wanted to go to Alaska and explore the unique beauty of this place Try planning your vacation by taking an Alaska Cruise An Alaska cruise can take you to the great wonders of this majestic place, one of the youngest members of the United States…

Cruise is fun and exciting It is the best getaway that probably money can buy Cruise means a travel of a lifetime enjoying both water and land activities If you are a newly wed couple, cruise probably is the best way of spending your honeymoon Most of the time.

All of us are entitled to give ourselves a little consolation after spending long hours and many days working A relaxing vacation will be the best choice for breaking the monotony and rewarding ourselves for all the hard work we have done.

Imagine yourself traveling all over the world You enjoy the breathtaking scenes and the pampering weather temperature The world is indeed a paradise The humankind is blessed with not only thousands but also millions of natural wonders

Related Links

Young Adult Cruises
World’s Largest Cruise Ship

There are several good agencies for the consolidation of debt that are non profit. In this article we will look at several of these agencies and what they will offer when it comes to debt consolidation.

Debt Management Credit Counseling Corp., is an agency for the consolidation if debt that is non profit. This agency utilizes the highest quality standards in the industry. They provide education and budget counseling to their clients to teach them to manage their personal finances and provide credit counseling through programs for debt management and personal budgeting.

When you apply for a debt management program through DMCC you will be assigned a Certified Credit Counselor who will ask you a few questions about your debts and the amount of money you make. From there they will review the information and work up a few plans for you to look over. You will work with the credit counselor to pick the best plan to fit your particular situation. You will then sign a contract with DMCC to start the ball rolling.

Your credit counselor will work with your creditors to reduce monthly payments, lower interest rates and reduce or eliminate late charges. You will make one monthly payment to the agency for the consolidation of debt that is non profit. They in turn, will make sure your creditors are paid on time. A fee is usually charged for the services rendered which will be included in the monthly payment. The counselors at DMCC will help you every step of the way and be there to answer any questions you may have.

Below is a list of agencies for the consolidation of debt that are non profit:

- Advantage Credit Counseling Service-Non profit debt management and credit counseling services.

- Advantage Credit Counseling Service-Online version of Cincinnati Credit Counseling Services.

- Alliance Credit Counseling-Nationwide credit counseling-non profit.

- American Family Credit Counseling-Credit counseling and debt consolidation.

- Big Solutions, Inc.- Credit counseling and debt management.

- CCCS of Orange County, California-Non profit counseling agency. Offices also in New York, Delaware Valley PA, New Hampshire, Vermont, Washington, and Idaho.

- Christian Credit Counseling Centers-Counseling on secured and unsecured debt. Offices in Houston TX, and Tulsa OK.

- Clear Point Finacial Solutions-Non profit, credit counseling, and other financial services. Nationwide.

- Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc.-Non profit, debt counseling, financial education, Nationwide.

- Consumer Budget Counseling-Credit Counseling, non profit, Nationwide.

- Consumer Credit Counseling of Greater Dallas, Inc.- Non profit, community service, avoid bankruptcy through education and counseling. Branches in- Atlanta, Central Florida, Oregon, Texas, Los Angeles, Nevada, New Jersey, San Francisco, and Michigan.

This is a partial list of the hundreds of Agencies for the consolidation of debt that are non profit. This should give you a place to start when looking for a good debt counseling company.

Related Links:

equity loan rate credit card debt consolidation
debt consolidation counselings

The iPod, a modern tech gizmo is a creation by one of the trsuted brands that is Apple Computers. It is a multi function gadget that allows you to carry and play music downloads, games, photos, videos, and calendars anywhere on the go.

It is no surprise that iPod has become one of the most popular technological items, given the popularity these days, of music, games,photos and video.

However it is still out of reach for many among us because of its price tag. Cost of most of the iPod devices available in the market is in the range $150-$300, with the ones with larger hard drives and more features selling at the upper end of the price band.

Many of us do want a iPod. We are either not willing or are unable to spend upwards of $150. This is the main reason why many “Get a free iPod” are drawing good number of visitors on the Internet. After all you have to just give your email
address, complete some trial offers, and refer some
friends, and grab your own iPod for pennys to the dollar.

These sites are operated by some savvy marketers who are providing such offers in return for getting some valuable personal information from like

* your email address
* more information for completing some trial offers
* provide some referrals(usually 3-5 referrals)

Email addresses is a pricy possession. You have opted in so it is a spam free listing. These marketers will keep making follow up offers for other products and services. Sure enough, you can opt-out at any time, but most likely you would not, because if you do that before you complete the program requirements you will not qualify for the free iPod.
And hopefully you will stay on even after you have received your free iPod.

It is a beneficial situation for both of you. These marketers will make some money from the offer making companies when for all the trial offers completed by you and others. It is actually a reward for providing a huge list of potentia customers. These marketers are known to make several hundred to even a few thousand dollars if they are able to get enough number of customers to opt for the trial offer.

To give a specific numeric example, you have to complete a few low cost offers usually costing about $30. You also refer a few friends to the same offer. This way you also benefit by pocketing a product worth$150-$300 for far less a price.

Now a word about tehnical aspects. iPod has very quickly become one of the most useful and popular devices. It is able to play MP3s and videos, store and display pictures, and do much more.

free mini apple ipodsdownload free ipod game

So you have finally decided to visit Florida. Sure, it’s all the way down there in the very Southeastern corner of the United States, and not that easy to get to. I mean, who goes to Florida on their way anywhere? “Honey, I’m going to stop by Florida on my way home!” Home to where… Cuba? What I’m trying to say is that Florida is a Destination, not part of the trip. When you are there, you’re going to want to rent a car.

Getting a Florida Rental Car discount is not difficult, as long as you do your homework. It pays to shop around long before you leave for Florida. The internet is now your best friend, as you can comparison shop all the major car companies, most of the smaller, local companies, as well as the travel mega-sites like Expedia, Travelocity, and others.

If you are flying to Florida, and booking your airline tickets online, be sure to get a price quote on a package of airfare, hotel, and rental car. Often, by doing the package thing, you can save a lot over what the individual pieces would have cost you if you had bought them separately.

Some things to consider when planning your trip so you can get the best discount on your Florida rental car are:

• How long you will be staying. Car rental companies can offer discounts for longer-term visits, and there may be additional discounts if you stay over a weekend.
• Where you will be going. One-way versus round-trip car rental bookings can make a difference, and there’s not always one that’s cheaper than the other. It will depend on what the car rental company has in inventory in one location versus what they need in another.
• How far you will be driving. Are you going to need unlimited mileage, or can you live within the 100 mile per day limit?
• The size of car you need. Always book the smallest size you can all fit into, relatively comfortably. Often, Florida car rental companies can upgrade you for free to the next biggest size. All you have to do is ask!

Be sure to check for special discounts. These can either be seasonal discounts based on the availability of cars at the time you are renting, or they can be membership-based discounts based on your membership in national organizations like AAA or AARP. There are also corporate discounts available if you are employed by a larger company.

There are many discounts available on Florida car rentals. Ask around, do your homework, and have an enjoyable trip to Florida.

Dear College Humor Television,

I was surfing through your site to do some research on what passes for college entertainment for my Senior Seminar project. After trying to force a smile at College Humor.com’s April Fools joke this year, I clicked on the CHTV logo to see the first episode of the site’s TV show. I’m not an expert on college television, but I’d like to think I know a thing or two about what is funny, and what makes people want to play with a sheet of metal during a thunderstorm. I can say without any shred of doubt CHTV is the latter.

The fact that College Humor has a developmental deal with SONY Pictures makes me want to cut my wrists, and hope I survive long enough to cut them again. Here is what is wrong with CHTV. First, your host looks like Captain Emo. When I see him I see the face of Dashboard Confessional fans. And studies have shown being exposed to people who like Dashboard or other “fine” emo music leads to the Ebola virus. Another highly contagious disease that, like emo music, makes people vomit in-between wild fits of fevor and crying in the corner. Man on the street segments don’t work for Jay Leno or David Letterman; they’re not going to work for you. And oh yeah, way to be “hip and edgy” by asking people when was the last time they got “laid.” Like we haven’t heard that one on the National Lampoon Network or any HBO special involving regular people. The Black Eyed Peas joke made me want to piss myself.

Not because it was funny, but because the filth I would be swimming in would be more entertaining than the excrement I was watching on your show. A college student in New York City is as far as you can get from the portrayal of the “average” college student, which you claimed to be reaching in your man on the street segment. There is nothing wrong with college students from New York City, but all because you were too lazy to film the segment elsewhere doesn’t give you the right to advertise you were reaching out to the “average” college student.

The rejected video segment and random “fact” segments were terrible. The facts weren’t even funny. College students don’t care about the lottery, and the Super Mario Brothers joke died before it even left the host’s mouth. I realize Ebaum’s World has a TV deal with USA Network to do pretty much what you just did with showing rejected clips, but all because they’re doing it doesn’t mean you should. Are you seriously that desperate for something to rip off? If you are I recommend just about anything on Comedy Central because Comedy Central is about as funny as a September 11th movie.

Hey, do you know any funny fart jokes? Why don’t you work some of those in there? You can ask Judah Friedlander to write some “funny” jokes for you. Because his segment was so funny, I was hoping a doctor would come in and tell me I had cancer of the eye, and my brain made up Judah Friedlander to give me a reason not to prolong death. I don’t know how he gets work, but like him, I hope your show never reproduces. The last thing we need is another “edgy” college television show that just makes us look like a bunch of white, quasi-retarded men and women who suffer from alcoholism, slack off, and sleep around. Thanks; at least the next time I don’t get hired for a job when I graduate I’ll know whom to blame.

Sincerely,

Brandon J. Mendelson

I am proud to say that I am not a traditional attorney. Rather, I am a strategic business attorney, and I work with clients to help them grow their businesses and achieve success. I am not focused on money, billable hours,a fancy office, partnership, or prestige. My focus is using my knowledge and expertise to help my clients reach their goals.

I am not so “specialized” that I will only work with one kind of business or that I will only work with businesses that have high revenue. A strategic attorney wants to learn everything about the client’s business, the industry, the competition, the market, and anything relevant to the client’s success. I want to understands the risk involved in the client’s business and help the client mitigate the risk. I will not require meetings to be in my fancy office, because I want to see where you do business, how your business operates, and how you are structured.

It is my job to help you anticipate problems and devise creative solutions. It is my job to understand and review your overall business strategy and business objectives and make suggestions for changes or improvements. It is my job to help you accomplish your business goals and gain a competitive edge.

I can offer you legal advice on most business, commercial, contract, corporate, or real estate issues. I will make sure you understand the laws that regulate your type of business, and I will help you comply and implement systems to stay compliant. I will negotiate on your behalf and defend you if you are sued. I can also file a lawsuit for you, but I will always try to help you find a better resolution for your business.

I want to earn trust and respect and I hope to build long-term relationships with my clients. I will be available when and where you need me, and I will always return your calls promptly. I look forward to watching my clients’ businesses create value, grow, and succeed.

Copyright 2006 Indigo Business Solutions. All rights reserved

About the author Jo Ann Joy is the CEO and owner of Indigo Business Solutions, a legal and business consulting firm. Indigo Business Solutions is a “one stop shop” for small businesses. We differ from other business consulting firms, because we offer comprehensive legal and business counseling. We can offer most of the professional services that a business requires. We work with our clients to develop strategies that create value and competitive advantage. Our goal is your success. Jo Ann has a law degree, an MBA, and a degree in Economics, but she is not a traditional attorney. Rather, she is a strategic business attorney who works closely with clients to create and implement strategies that will greatly improve their performance and chance of success. Her background includes commercial and real estate law, accounting, financial planning, mortgages, marketing, product development, banking, and business strategies. She ran a successful business for 10 years, and she has written and given presentations on many different legal and business subjects. You may contact Jo Ann by phone at (602) 663-7007, by fax at (602) 324-7582, by email at joannjoy@Indigo Business Solutions.net, and by mail at 2313 East Ocotillo Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85016 For more information about these and other important business topics and for legal consultation, please visit our website at http://www.IndigoBusinessSolutions.net The future of your business starts here.

In the summer of 2004 the former telecommunication giant MCI
World Com emerged from a 21 month process that ended with the
largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history. The restructured
company is now called MCI. It has a very strong focus on
residential and long distance services. Less attention if paid
to its formerly popular cellular phone business.

Before the bankruptcy MCI purchased their cellular products and
services from Verizon and AT&T and sold them to consumers
through a few MCI retailers and independent dealers. At the time
MCI cell phone plans were very similar to those being offered by
AT&T and Verizon. Even the names of MCI’s plans were only
slightly different. Users of MCI cell phone plans often had
problems with being charged for roaming or long distance, when
they were not roaming or were dialing from a local area. There
were also customer service and other billing problems.

Maybe this is why MCI seems to be moving away from cell phone
services and placing its emphasis on residential and long
distance plans. However there are rumors of a merger with a
strong cellular provider such as Sprint.

At this time you can’t find information about cellular services
on MCI’s website. About all you can find on the internet about
MCI’s Wireless business is negative feedback on its prior
cellular services or information about its wireless computer
services. MCI teamed up with Skytel to offer services such as
two way messaging, wireless email, and one way paging (both text
and numeric).

If you are looking into MCI as a potential provider of your cell
phone service, you may have a bit of a wait. However you may be
well advised to look into MCI’s long distance plans for your
home or business needs.

MCI is making a strong comeback fueled by its international
calling cards that allow you to call anywhere from 30 countries.
They also have a plan that allows you to call from any U.S.
military base to any other base for less then 6 cents a minute.
This new stronger MCI may soon reenter the world of cellular
phones.

The mythical lore and storied past of Celtic harps make them a very special emblem of Ireland’s pride.

Indeed, one of the most remarkable ways in which the Emerald Isle distinguishes itself is that, as a tribute to the importance of music in Irish culture, Ireland is the only country in the world with a musical instrument as a national symbol.

Otherwise known as the heraldic harp or Gaelic harp, Celtic harps have been part of the Irish landscape for centuries.

Ever since the 16th century, when King Henry VIII of England made the harp the official symbol of his new land by putting it on Ireland’s currency, harps have been beloved symbols of Ireland’s national pride.

The Ancient Legends…

Celtic harps can be found on carvings dating as far back as the 12th century, with surviving examples of actual instruments dating back to the 15th.

The harp legend tells us that Dagda, a chief among the Taatha De Danaan, owned the first Gaelic harp. However, the harp was stolen by the gods of cold and darkness and given to the Fomorians, a group at war with the Taatha. Seeing this, the gods of light and art, Lugh and Ogma, entered the Fomorian fortress, recovered the harp, and restored it to Dagda.

The gods then gave Dagda two secret names for the harp and called forth summer and winter. From then on Dagda could play Goltrai, Geantrai, and Suantrai…Music that could make men weep, music that brought joy, and music that lulled men to sleep. Thus, Celtic harps became known as the dispensers of sorrow, happiness, and rest.

The Glory Days…

In the days of the Celtic chieftains, the harpist was the most honored musician and ranked only behind chiefs and bards in social class. The harpists, often blind, would play as the bards recited poetry for their lords. And, when war came, the harpist would bring forth a golden instrument encrusted with fine jewels in order to lead men into battle and spur them to great deeds.

The Sad Decline…

In the 16th century, harpists would often join revolutionaries for much the same purpose. The British crown, in an effort to stifle the rebellion, banned Celtic harps and instructing their men to kill any harpist and destroy their instruments. They were infamously successful. By the beginning of the 19th century, thanks to British measures and the bankruptcy of the Irish aristocracy, traditional Celtic harp music had all but died out.

Bunting and O’Carolan…

However, in 1792, there was a revival of traditional harp music. A festival was organized and harpists from all over Ireland were tempted with healthy cash prizes. Despite the allure this would seem to provide, only ten harpists showed up.

But the day was not entirely a loss. A 19-year-old English organist named Edward Bunting was hired to notate the music the harpists played. His paper transcription of notes survives today, but the notation does have one flaw: Bunting did not record the bass lines. This part of the music is lost forever.

Nevertheless, Bunting’s 1797, 1809, and 1840 collections of Irish harp music are a wealth of information for the serious student. By providing not only music, but lore and technical information, Bunting gives us all a chance to find out how these instruments were actually played. As well, Bunting’s books are the only records we have for the great Irish harpist, Turlough O’Carolan. Now, instead of the oral tradition being lost on us, we can all read everything in a book.

Official Symbol of ire…

The Celtic harp symbol found on the presidential flag, state seals, uniforms, and even bottles of Guinness is inspired by an exquisite harp periodically on display at Trinity College, Dublin.

This extraordinary instrument is also known as the Brian Boru harp, named after the famed High King of Ireland. It is the oldest surviving wire-strung frame harp in existence.

Its uniquely straight, boxed base topped by a gracefully arcing curve is immediately recognizable to all who gaze upon it. This harp was also the inspiration of the gold emblem upon the green flag that the rebels flew in the ill-fated Easter Rising of 1916.

Modern Revival…

The 20th century has seen a great resurgence of popularity for the Irish harp. Thanks to traditional musicians such as Derek Bell of the Chieftains, Celtic harps are returning to the fore. No longer only a stale symbol of Ireland, Celtic harps find their music rising heavenward once again, raising the spirit of Ireland once more.

And as technology advances, great strides are being made to recreate the tones of the long distant past. Now people everywhere can rejoice at the sounds that Celtic harps once brought only to the Irish kings of old.

Through mythic lore and a storied past, Celtic harps have been a beloved symbol of Ireland, both in fantasy and in fact, for centuries.

Stamped on the Irish euro of today as well as the Irish coin of old, you will see that the heraldic harp sings of the glorious Emerald Isle with all its countenance. And as they find their voices in the hands of new players, we can all hear the songs of gladness that only Celtic harps can play…today and for generations to come.

Deborah Felker is the editor of Fantasy-Ireland.com, featuring in-depth articles about the meaning of Irish and Celtic symbols and many helpful articles for planning fantasy Ireland vacations.